Concept:
Atomization is the process of breaking all the chemical bonds in a molecule to obtain its constituent atoms in the gaseous state.
\[ CH_4 (g) \rightarrow C (g) + 4H (g) \]
Step 1: Analyze Enthalpy (Endothermic vs Exothermic).
Breaking bonds always requires energy. Since energy is absorbed to overcome the attractive forces between the atoms, the process is Endothermic (\(\Delta H > 0\)).
Step 2: Analyze Spontaneity.
A process is spontaneous if it happens naturally without constant external energy input (usually linked to a decrease in Gibbs Free Energy).
• Atomization requires significant energy (high \(\Delta H\)).
• Although entropy (\(\Delta S\)) increases because one molecule becomes five atoms, the energy requirement is so high at standard temperatures that the process is Non-spontaneous.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Since the process is both endothermic and non-spontaneous under normal conditions, option (E) is the most complete description.